Carl j



(No Model.)

G. J. PIHL. TAP WRENCH.

No. 594,212. Y Patented Nov. 23, `1897.

WITNESSES /JVVEJVTR Tm: Nonms PETERS C0, #Mofou'mo wAsmNcm-N. o. Q

NITED STATES PATENT rrron.

CARL J. PIHL, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO ALFRED A. FISHER, OF SAME PLACE.

TAP-WRENCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 594,212, dated November 28, 1897. Application filed May (14,1897. Serial No. 636,449. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CARL J. PIEL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tap-Wrenches, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings. g This invention relates to that class of implements known as tap-wrenches, and is designed for holding taps, reamers, angers, and tools of a kindred nature; and it consists in the improved tap-wrench which I shall hereinafter describe and claim.

The object of` the said invention is to provide a tap-wrench of the character described which will removably and firmly hold a tap, reamer, or like tool or device in place for use without any liability of accidental displacement and which may be adjusted to accommodate tools or Shanks having operating faces or heads of different diameters.

In the accompanying drawings, in which like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts, Figure l is a side elevation of a tap-wrench embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the same.

In carrying out my invention I forge, cast, or otherwise form two pieces of steel or other` metal of the shape shown to form the companion members A A', each of which has a thickened central portion A2, constituting a jaw proper. The outer extremities of these members A A are also preferably made thicker than the portions between them and the thickened center, and the inner adjacent sides of the members are slightly arched or curved in reverse directions, so that when the said members are united by the act of welding, riveting, or otherwise permanently uniting their end portions the portions of the members between the opposite ends are normally separated, so that the matching notches or V- grooves B, which are made in the inner faces of the members A A', may be readily fitted to the tap, reamer, or other tool. By this construction the wrench is longitudinally and centrally slitted for nearly its entire length, and the slit is widest at the central part of the wrench when open and thence gradually narrows toward each end and' terminates short of said ends, the said ends being-)closed and permanently united, as before stated.

Through the central or jaw portions A2 of the wrench are made threaded openings O, preferably on each side of and equidistant from the tool-holding notch or groove B; but I do not limit myself to this precise arrangement, as more than one set of notches of different sizes may be made in the jaws, if de` sired, without departing from the spirit of my invention. These openings O are designed to engage the clamping or thumb screws D, which engage the openings in both jaws and have milled or knurled heads, by means of which they may be grasped and turned by the fingers to tighten said jaws.

Vhen the wrench has been tted to the tap or tool and the screws are turned, the jaws are drawn toward each other, the slit in the wrench gradually closing and the curved inner faces of the members A A' being drawn straight, or approximately so, and parallel with each other, While the tap or Wrench is tightly clamped in the tool-holding notches or grooves in the jaws.

Both members of the wrench are elastic or yielding and both move in unison on tightening or loosening the screws,and in wrenches havingbut one pair of tool-holding grooves or notches the clamping-screws may be brought so close to each other that both may be operated at the same time, thereby equalizing the pressure and clamping action on both sides of the inserted tool.

While I have described the wrench as made of two members permanently united at opposite ends, I do not wish to be understood as thus limiting my invention, as the wrench may be made of a single forged or cast integral piece,with the slit produced by sawing or otherwise to produce the two elastic members normally separated from each other by a slit which extends longitudinally for nearly the entire length of the wrench.

A wrench of the character described is simple and effective, and the tool can be Xedly secured between the jaws by a slight adjustment of the clam pin g-screws, thus permitting the tool to be quickly inserted and secured against movement or removed therefrom IOO when desired. It also possesses extreme lightness and is delicate in its adjustment and is of a sensitive character to avoid the breaking of taps and tools.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. As an article of manufacture, a tapwrench consisting of opposing yielding and curved metallic members united at their ends to provide an intermediate space widest at the center of the wrench and gradually tapering toward each end, and provided with a socket for receiving a tool, and a pair of screws equidistant from the socket and in such relation that both screws are operated by the same movement of the fingers.

2. A tap-wrench consisting of two opposing spring members having oppositelycurved CARL J. PII-IL.

Witnesses:

A. A. FISHER, Il. O. JONES. 

